While to the others present it happened in an instant, to the lamb it felt like an eternity. Falling, at the complete mercy of gravity and the rapidly approaching stone floor.

And then suddenly, something solid yet gentle caught them. They opened their eyes to look up at the grinning pink face of their savior. Their expression was filled nothing but awe and admiration. Ruse had done a lot by simply being at the right place at the right time. Hy could definitely feel their hammering heartbeat as the lamb struggled against their first ever taste of true fear. Their head swam with it, what little thoughts they could conjure up muddled and scattered, only coming together as they gradually calmed down.

Even at the best of times the lamb would've been painfully easy to manipulate, as naive and trusting and joyful as they were. But right now? Well, Ruse was their savior, the most benevolent and true force they'd ever encountered in their short-but-could've-been-even-shorter life.

So, despite the utter absurdity of the situation, they gave Worm a bewildered, betrayed look as though he really HAD pushed them. And in a sense, wasn't it really true? They had fallen trying to climb down and meet Worm in the middle. If they hadn't seen Worm climb, they would've stayed put, and they never would've fallen. Yeah. That made perfect sense.

@Ruse

The more Ruse watched of pinklet's reaction to hys monologuing, the more incredulous Ruse looked and felt. Ruse supposed hy had never had to engage with children who were out of the loop with hys father's worldview, and much to Ruse's chagrin, hy was beginning to see that some people really didn't handle it well. Never before had Ruse witnessed this level of... self-induced implosion. How does such a strange little body hold such large amounts of fear?

Ruse wouldn't interrupt the little pinklet. Hy'd snap back upright in a sort of power pose, two fists on hys hips with one arm still holding Velveteen like a stuffed toy. The eyebrow stayed raised, however the expression devolved into one more of concern than dramatic suspicion. Ruse considered how to deliver his response. He did plan on taking himself down a notch just a little, because despite all previous impressions, Ruse was an adult and did know how to act like one.

Hys voice gentled—still theatrical, but less fluctuation now. Ruse kept his distance from the kitten at first, when he started speaking. "Hey, hey, I didn't say you did anything wrong. There you are again with that naive insinuation of what's good and what's bad." That might confuse Velveteen a little, but it was good for the lamb to learn these things as soon as possible, so they can avoid the thought pattern mistakes that the pinklet seemed to be experiencing. Ruse realized this lesson might work better if he lowered himself to a crouch, so he went a single step forward and did that. "You're alright, little pinklet. What's your name?" Ruse looked toward the lamb in his arm hold. "Yours too. Give me some names to work with. I'm called 'Ruse'."

Ruse would then look back at the pinklet, and hold out his hand like an offering. He would... try to organize his expression into something less judgmental or perturbed, but it wasn't easy. Hy didn't know how pinky would take it. "Let's get you both off this ledge so I can explain some things I think you ought to know about. I know how to fly quite well." Ruse fluttered his butterfly wings for a bit of show, but he wasn't so sure he'd even convinced himself with that line delivery and tone. However, he did know it to be true that the babies needed to get down from the ledge, and Ruse was blocking their only exit. So it was really up to the kids to decide what was best for themselves.

@Worm @Velveteen

When Velveteen also looked at Worm like he'd pushed them, Worm looked down at his paws, as if hoping the rocks would open up and swallow him whole. Anything to get away from this white-hot burning shame over something he hadn't done! Why were they looking at him like that? Had he pushed them? He'd thought he'd only jumped up onto the platform himself, but they were all looking at him like he had. Maybe he'd kicked up a gust and knocked the newly emerged gembound?

"But-- But-- If I pushed it--" With a childish wail of frustration, he scrunches his eyes shut. This was all starting to hurt his head, too. He certainly didn't feel reassured by the large gembound, and he was definitely looking at that outstretched hand with what could definitely only be suspicion and a touch of revulsion.

Yet, despite everything that told him this was an awful idea. He slings himself into the offered hand, so Ruse may dual wield these plushies (if you could consider something bald and wrinkly plush-like). "Worm." He groused.

"My name is Worm."

@Velveteen

The fear of their near-death experience faded surprisingly quickly. They were idly kicking their hooves as Ruse continued to hold them aloft, as though they hadn't just nearly plummeted to their doom. Indeed, much of this conversation WAS going over their head. All they really understood was that the scrunched-up pink thing was incredibly upset. They felt bad, because everything was actually fine- they hadn't ACTUALLY splatted on the ground, or anything. "It's okay! 'm not hurt. Everything's fine!" Its doubtful that the lamb's naive optimism could make a dent in Worm's terminal anxiety, but who knows.

Oh. A name? There was an exceptionally long pause as the lamb dredged through their exceptionally empty brain to locate said name. "Uhhh.... Velveteen. That sounds nice."

As soon as Ruse lifted Worm into sniffing range, Velveteen extended their neck to do exactly that. They might even go so far as to gently nibble an ear or tail. An attempt at comfort or just a profound breach of personal space? Who knows!

@Ruse